As we noted in last week’s article, when the Bible speaks of wine, we must consider the context to determine whether the wine being spoken of is alcoholic or not. This being the case, it requires us to reason through the Scriptures and determine whether or not what is being suggested is positive or negative so that we can determine whether we as Christians should or should not drink alcohol.
The first context we must consider is the first mention of “wine” in our Bibles. In Genesis 9:20 (NKJV), we learn that Noah plants a vineyard. Genesis 9:21 tells us that Noah “drank of the wine and was drunk, and became uncovered in his tent.” The text goes on to reveal that Noah was in such a state that one of his sons reveled in his “nakedness” while the other two sons thoughtfully covered their father’s nakedness (Gen. 9:22-23). Based on the context, Noah was acting in a way that was out of the norm. In fact, it was not until he “awoke from his wine” that there was any recognition of what had taken place (Gen. 9:24). What we see in Genesis 9 is a negative example of alcoholic wine.
The next context we might consider is Genesis 19:30-38. In this context, Lot and his daughters have fled from the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and have arrived to the mountains outside of Zoar. While staying in this cave, Lot’s daughters scheme together to “make [their] father drink wine” so they could both go in and “lie with him” to “preserve [his] lineage” (Gen. 19:32). The wine in this context had to have been alcoholic. Lot never would have known his daughters in this way had he not been under the influence of alcohol. Yet again, we find another negative example of alcoholic wine.
The next context to which we might turn is Leviticus 10:8-11. This passage falls immediately after the LORD strikes down Nadab and Abihu for offering “profane fire before the LORD” (Lev. 10:1-2). In Leviticus 10:8-11, the LORD tells Aaron that the priests are not to “drink wine or strong drink” (NASB) so that their judgments and ability to teach might not be hindered. If one’s ability to make right judgments and ability to teach effectively is the reason for not drinking, the drink under consideration must be alcoholic. Once more, we find another negative example.
If time allowed, we could continue to examine passages such as Proverbs 20:1, Proverbs 23:29-35, Isaiah 5:11, Isaiah 5:22, or Habakkuk 2:15 (NKJV). In considering these passages, I firmly believe we will reach the same conclusion as we do from the contexts discussed above – the wine is alcoholic, and it is seen in a negative light. Still, many will point to the New Testament, especially to John 2, to try and argue for the Christian’s right to drink alcohol. Lord willing next week, we will consider this thought.
By: Preston McElyea